NZRU and SARU apology to maori

So both the South African and NZ rugby unions have now apologised for excluding maori players from tours to SA. I'm afraid it is pretty meaningless - too late and with the world cup coming up it is obvious the NZRU just want no waves leading up to and during the tournament. But notwithstanding that, it is a positive that the actual apology has been made.

From Stuff

"Today, on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Union, we wish to say sorry first and foremost to those Maori players who were not considered for selection for teams to tour South Africa or to play South Africa," the statement said.

"We apologise to the families of those players and to the wider Maori community who were affected directly or indirectly by the decisions taken to not include Maori players for those teams and tours.

"It was a period in which the respect of New Zealand Maori rugby was not upheld and that is deeply regretted."

I think that should read "It was a period when the respect of Maori was not upheld and that is deeply regretted."

"The NZRU first set out to consider this issue in 2009 as we prepared for the centenary of New Zealand Maori in 2010 and believed it was right to ask for advice from the NZMRB.

Jeepers only started thinking about it last year - epic fail.

The SARU have also widened their apology.

"A number of Maori rugby players became innocent victims of the racist ideology of our former government, a policy that oppressed the daily lives of all black South Africans," Hoskins said in a statement.

"Those policies also denied thousands of talented black sportsmen and women the opportunity to compete for selection for South Africa's national sports teams.

"As the current guardians of the game of rugby union it is therefore appropriate that we take this opportunity to apologise to those Maori players who may have been excluded from selection and to the offence this may have caused to the Maori community.

"But, even more importantly, this is the opportunity to apologise on behalf of rugby to black South Africans who were denied the opportunity to represent not only their country but also their provinces throughout those long dark years because of the connivance of our predecessors in the systematic suppression of the majority."

They are sorry and we can be thankful for that and I hope it goes someway to creating a farier and more just society there and here.

apology from me

I made a mistake by accusing others of something, that in fact I was doing myself. I apologise to all readers and especially to those who justly feel hurt and offended.

I have not deleted my intemperate comment because i want to remind myself of what not to do - my shame will stand.

I will be mindful of being too quick to bash the keyboard in that way again.

I am very sorry.

dargy museum fixes mistakes but lets turn it into a celebration

This is a win!

The various posts are here on reading the maps

1. Inital post
2. second post asking for response
3. third post a response and an email back. Maps has written a full reply to their email - well worth a gander.

The dargaville museum has been caught out giving bogus information that was incorrect and hurtful. After this was pointed out to them and after due consideration they have realised their mistakes and are fixing it.

This is a reasonable response. It is good to admit when we make mistakes. I congratulate you dargaville museum - you have taken a good first step - now how can we turn this into a win for you and all of us.

How about instead of trying to pretend it never happened why not embrace the event and what it means.

Make the true dedication of the pou an event. Work with local maori and involve the community. Turn the discovery of this incorrect information and the subsequent correcting as the positive event it is. have a celebration! If you did you would be amazed by the response. You will be heroes and your museum would take it's place as an example of how to right wrongs, how to accept blame and fix mistakes. that would set you up as an even more iconic museum.

Don't hide from this embrace it.

Good settlement not so sure about the sentiment from the crown

Congratulations to Iwi group Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika made up of Te Atiawa, Ngati Tama, Ngati Ruanui and Ngati Mutunga iwi who have recieved an apology and some compensation. The apology said the Crown was "deeply sorry that it has not always lived up to its Treaty of Waitangi obligations" and hoped the settlement would "restore its honour which has been tarnished by its actions".

Hmmm not sure if it's about restoring your honour Government - it's about restoring the Iwi group's honour? But you are correct in saying that the government actions have tarnished their reputation, over the years.

And of course the big headline with this story is that the iwi group have forgiven the crown. But my reading of that is actually that they have accepted the apology of the crown not given their own apology.

So what was the compensation?

"The agreement includes a cash settlement of more than $25 million.

As part of the deal, the iwi have bought the former air force base at Shelly Bay, a prime Wellington waterfront spot.

The iwi can also buy certain properties and lease them back to the Crown, including Archives New Zealand, the National Library and the High Court.

The deal includes an annual hui between the iwi and a minister of the Crown to help facilitate access to government services."

All sounds pretty low to me considering the injustice and the subsequent use of the land. But good luck to the iwi group in helping their people.